This site explains in detail the tour spots described on tourist board.
The Gokasho Kondo Important Preservation District for Group of Traditional Buildings.
The Gokasho Kondo is a region with strong links to the Omi Merchants and has been designated as a Preservation District for Group of Traditional Buildings as well as an Important Preservation District for Group of Traditional Buildings and a Japan Heritage site. The harmony of traditional farm houses and Merchant houses create beautiful Village landscape. Walking through these fascinating streets will reveal a refined atmosphere, with spring water of Echi River running through the canals where Koi-carps swim elegantly.
■Request for guided tour
Application: Gokasho Tourist Information Office
TEL : 0748-48-6678（Please send your request one week prior to desired tour date）
Tour volunteer transportation fee of 1000 yen per group is required
1 Jyungoro Nakae House–Gokasho Omi Merchant House
The house used to belong to Nakae Jungoro, the department store King who was the fifth son of Minakai family which operated more than 20 department stores before WW2 in Korean Peninsula and China.
The view from second story room with style of garden that features a path around a pond takes you back in time to early Showa period.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：10時0分-16時30分
Closed: Every Mondays (except holidays), day after national holiday, December 28 - January 4
Admission Fee: Shigeru Tonomura Merchant House & Jungoro Nakae Merchant House.
Adult: 400 yen/Child: 200 yen
TEL : 0748-48-5676
2 Uhe-e Tonomura House–Gokasho Omi Merchant House ※Currently closed until further notice
The house belonged to Uhe-e Tonomura, the youngest son of Yonaemon Tonomura. He began his independent business separating from his father in 1813 and branched out selling Kimonos in Tokyo, Yokohama, Fukui, and Kyoto, etc. He expanded his business and eventually became one of the richest merchants in Meiji era. His garden was the most beautiful garden in Kanzaki region.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
3 Shigeru Tonomura house–Gokasho Omi Merchant House
Shigeru Tonomura’s business was started by Kichitaro, a husband of Miwa who was a daughter of the 4th generation Uhe-e Tonomura. Kichitaro worked at Uhe-e’s Kyoto branch and started a cotton cloth wholesale business in Nihonbashi and Takatanobaba, Tokyo in 1907.
Shigeru Tonomura was a third son of Tonomura family. For a short time he took over his father’s business but decided to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. He wrote many novels such as Kusaikada, Ikada, Hanaikada and stories depicting Omi merchant as well as his own life.
His Kura (Kura: traditional warehouse, symbol of wealth and status) is a literature museum displaying precious documents and manuscript which was nominated for the first Akutagawa Prize.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：10：00-16：30
Closed: Mondays (except holidays), day after national holiday, December 28 - January 4
Admission Fee: Shigeru Tonomura Merchant House & Jungoro Nakae Merchant House.
Adult: 400 yen/Child: 200 yen
TEL : 0748-48-5676
4 Hikoshiro Fujii House –Gokasho Omi Merchant House
Hikoshiro Fujii was born as a second son of third generation Fujii Zensuke and later became independent. He actively toured abroad and developed unique textile thread called Komachi and Ski Yarn. He kept up with the change and trend amassing a wealths in his life time.
Kyakuden (reception hall) and Western-style house are built using Japanese cypress. These houses have been designated as cultural properties of Shiga Prefecture. There is a huge garden with a pond resembling Lake Biwa surrounded by precious rocks and trees.
Location
20 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：10：00-16：30
Closed: Mondays (except holidays), day after national holiday, December 28 - January 4
Admission Fee: Adult: 300 yen/Child: 100 yen
TEL : 0748-48-2602
5 Omi Merchants Museum ・Nakaji Yujin Memorial Art Museum
These museums show the area where Omi merchants was nurtured in films and dioramas.
Exhibits show their business method, philosophy and education, and also introduce various Omi merchant businesses that are active today.
Nakaji Yujin Memorial Art Museum opened when a large number of paintings by local painter, Nakaji Yujin were donated in 2016. He frequently came back to paint his beloved local seasonal sceneries.
Location
15 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：9：30-17：00（last admission:16:30）
Closed: Mondays (except holidays), day after national holiday, December 28 - January 4
Admission Fee: Adult: 300 yen/Child 150 yen (elementary and junior high)
TEL : 0748-48-7101
6 Kanpo Museum
One of the best calligraphy museums in Japan. It displays modern Chinese calligraphy, Chinese cultural documents as well as the modern Japanese education materials. Special temporary exhibit and permanent exhibit are displayed.
Location
15 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours: 9：30-17：00（last admission;until16時30分）
Closed: Monday,s (If a holiday falls on Monday, Tuesday following) , Closed when changing exhibitions
TEL:0748-48-4141
Admission Fee: Adult: 500 yen / high school student and student300 yen
7 Kondo Historical Street Preservation Center
This house belonged to the fourth son of Minaki department store founding family, Nakai. The house is currently run by Volunteers as Kondo Historical Street Preservation Center.
There is a little gift shop where you can relax and get coffee.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours: 10：30-16：30
Closed: Monday, Tuesday, day after national holiday, New Year holidays
TEL : 0505-801-7101
8 Hachinen–an –Omi Merchant House
Sato Tsukamoto who devoted her energy in education of women and founded women’s school. The original house was purchased and relocated to the current locaation by her second son, second generation Genzaburo Tsukamoto. Relocated house and the existing Kura are both more than 200 years old. The beautiful house and the simple Japanese style landscape garden reflect Tsukamoto’s philosophy of modesty, frugality and diligence.
Location
15 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：9：30-17：00
Closed：irregular
Admission Fee: Junior high student and older 500 yen
TEL : 0748-48-2009
10 Inari Shrine.
The area where Kondo stands today used to be a shogun territory. Yamato-koriyama feudal lord Honda territory in 1983 and then Yamato-Koriyama feudal lord Yanagisawa in 1724. Yamato-Koriyama feudal lord pitch a camp (Jinya).
There used to be the district office, house, Kura, Prison and Inari Shrine at one time. Jinya broke up in1872.In present day, there is only Inari Shrine. Now the Nagayamon has been relocated to the west side Shotokuji.
11 Guzeiji Temple
It is said to be built in 1290. The center piece of Kondo Important Preservation District for Group of Traditional Buildings. Current main temple was rebuilt in 1764 and designated as the important cultural property.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
12 Plaza Sanpoyoshi
There is a rest area you can get local gifts and coffee in Gokasho Kondo Tourist Information Center.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours: 9：00-17：00
Closed: Monday, Day after national holiday, New Year holidays
TEL :0748-48-6678
